Combination phonograph and moving-picture apparatus.



D. HIGH'AM.

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING PIGTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.10, 1908.

1,054,203. I Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

1). HIGHAM. COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 10, 1908.

1,054,203, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

D. HIGHAM. COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1908 1,054,203. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET s.

Jazz;

D. HIGHAM.

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1908. 1,054,203. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

mm. M W

D. HIGHAM.

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1908.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

I /gift provision of means by which the operator with the phonograph.

DANIEL HIGHAM, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH AND MOVING-PICTURE APPARATUS.

1 anana.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25,1913.

Application filed November 10, 1908. Serial No. 461,869.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 1).\N1EL HIGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Combination Phonographs and Moving-Picture Apparatus, of which the following is a description. r

This invention relates to an improved apparatus by means of which moving pictures may be thrown on a screen and the sounds appropriate thereto can be given forth by a talking machine simultaneously with the production of the pictures.

The object of my invention is to provide means by which a phonographic' and moving picture apparatus can readily be operated in synchronism, each apparatus being driven by its own independent operating means, and the phonographic apparatus being preferably located behind or near the screen on which the moving pictures are displayed by the moving picture apparatus.

The phonograph, in the preferred form of my invention, is operated at. an approximately constant speed, while the moving picture apparatus is regulated into synchronism with the phonograph by automatic means which brake or retard the movement of the moving picture apparatus when the latter exceeds the speed proper for the production of pictures in combination with the reproduction oftheir appropriate sounds, the force of the retarding means being re moved or decreased when the speed of the moving picture apparatus is less than that at which the same should properly be run in connection with the phonographic apparatus to allow the motive means of the moving picture apparatus to increase the speed of the same and bring it into syn hronism My invention contemplates the provision of means for performing the functions indicated which shall at the same time not interfere with the constant rotation of the phonographic apparatus, and which shall neither take from nor add "to the power of the phonographic apparatus.

Another feature of my invention is the can adjust the relative posit-ions of the phonographic and moving picture records, while the latter are reproducing, by either advancing or retarding the moving picture record to a sutticient extent to cause any scene and its appropriate sound to exactly coincide. This manipulative adjusting means preferably embodies means by which the moving picture driving means is allowed to operate momentarily at a greater speed than that permissible for exact synchronism with the phonographic apparatus when the moving picture record is somewhat behind the appropriate sound, or similarly in preventing the moving picture driving means from attaining a speed of exact synchronism with the phonograph for a brief interval. when the moving picture record is'somewhat ahead of the appropriate sound record.

My invention also consists in the various details of structure to be hereinafter described and claimed.

\Vhile my invention may be embodied in various forms, the preferred form is shown by way of example in the accompanying apparatus. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the. compensating or adjusting device. F ig. 4 is a detail view showing a modification of the synchronizing means shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing. the arrangement of thephonograph and moving picture apparatus when the compensating or adjusting device is not used, and Fig. 6 shows the same when the compensating device is used. Fig. '7 shows a modified arrangement in which the belt con nection between the phonograph located at or behind the screen and the moving picture apparatus is dispensed with, a second phonograph or phonographic motor governed to run in synchronism with the phonograph at the screen being connected, in tl'iis instance, with the moving picture machine by a belt or other means, and Fig. 8 shows a diagrammatic electrical connection between the phonograph and whatever element at ing picture apparatus would otherwise be connected with the phonograph by other means as in Figs. 5 and 6 by belt.

The moving picture apparatus shown gen erally at 1 has a crank shaft 2 which is' operated by a hand crank 3. An extension of the shaft is supported in frame members meshes with pinion 7 on shaft 8, which also carries friction brake wheel 9, adapted to co-act with which is brake shoe 10 pivotally supported from bell crank 11. Also mounted between uprights 4 and 5 is worm shaft 12 carrying worm 13 which is in mesh with worm wheel 14 mounted to rotate at 15 on arm 16 of frame member 5. Vorm shaft 17 carrving worm 18 is mounted, in the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, parallel to shaft 12, worm 17 carried thereby also meshing with worm wheel 14. Vorm shaft 12 is rigidly mounted between uprights 4.- and 5, whereas worm shaft 17 is somount'ed as to allow a certain amount of longitudinal movement. Worm shaft 17 carries a reduced portion 19 at one end thereof, which has a slidin bearing in the end of crank shaft 2. n worm shaft 17 adjacent this reduced portion 19 is a collar 20 which carries a pin 21 which is inserted in a hole in boss 22 on gear 6, connection thus being furnished through boss 22-and pin 21 whereby worm shaft 17 may be driven from crank shaft 2, while at the same time, worm shaft 17 mav slide axially, pin 21 being free to move ackward and forward in its hole in boss 22. Worm shaft 17 is also provided with a reduced portion 23 which has sliding bearing in upright 5 through which upright it may slide a distance determined by shoulder 24 on shaft 17 onathe inner side of upright 5. Screw 25 is adjusted in a threaded opening in the end of arm 26 of bell crank 11, which is so mounted that the end of screw 25 abuts against the end of shaft 17. Connection is thus provided by which the longitudinal movement of worm shaft 17 in one direction applies brake 10 to wheel 9 and in the other direction, allows the same to release.

Belt wheel 27 is mounted on the end of worm shaft 12 and held by pin or set screw 28, arm 29 of upright 5 servin as support for the overhanging end of sha t 12 and the belt wheel 27. A driving belt 30 runs' over wheel 27 as shown in Fig. 5 of the'draw- ""ings, and drives the same from a similar wheel 31 on the rotating shaft of the phonograph. This belt 30 is'preferably a very delicate belt such as a fine cord or a thread, the power which must be transmitted thereby beingso slight that no heavier form of belt is required. In Fig. 5 belt 30 is shown passing over the screen behind which the phonograph is concealed, and as guided by idler pulleys 32 and 33.

In the operation of my invention, if, when the phonographic and moving picture apparatus have been started in operation, the crank shaft 2 of the moving picture apparatus and with it worm shaft 17 are rotated in exact synchronism with worm shaft 12 which is rotated in synchronism with the phonograph through the connection of belt 30, worm wheel 14 will turn idly meshin with both worms l3 and 18, worm shaft 1 having no tendency to axial shift and brake 10 remaining in a normal condition of adj ustment, which may be either entirely clear from brake wheel 9 or, as preferred, restin thereon with a certain slight friction. however, the operator rotates crank shaft 2 of the moving icture apparatus at a speed greater than t at proper for synchronous running of the moving picture apparatus and the phonograph, worm 18 on worm shaft 17 will rotate more rapidly than worm wheel 14 whose speed is regulated by that of worm 13 with which it is meshing, the speed of which cannot be greater than that imparted to it by belt 30 traveling at the same speed as the periphery of wheel 31 of the phonograph. The result of this increased speed of worm 18 is that the latter, meshing with the relatively slower worm wheel 14, forces itself by screw action between worm 18 and worm wheel 14 in a longitudinal direction, which with the di rection of rotation of the arts shown bv the arrows in Fig. 1 woul be to the left,

will be the braking action of brake 5 0e 10 on brake wheel 9. In operation, where the moving picture machine is hand operated as shown, the operator always rotates crank 3 as rapidly as the braking apparatus will allow him to do. If the speed of rotation of the moving picture apparatus is 'less than that of the phonogra h, the resistance i i to the brake is decre or entirely removed, whereupon the shaft 2 under the force of its operations s u again into synchronism. The incline of t e worm 13 (and correspondingly, of course, the incline of the worm 18') is so chosen that any longitundinal force which may be imparted to worm 13 by worm wheel 14 (as takes place upon the application of brake 10) has as much tendency to rotate the worm 1311s the friction between the teeth of worm 13 runs lightly without adding to or taking from the power of the phonograph motor (or equivalent apparatus) to any appreciable degree, and permitting the use of a delicate connection between the phonographic and moving picture ap aratus, such as a light cord or small electrica mechanism.

accuses pulley 27 mounted on the end of worm shaft 12. Shaft has mounted for rotation thereon gear which is formed integral with a boss 41 which finds bearing surface in upright 42. Boss 41 and its gear 40 are mounted to rotate loosely on shaft 35,

whereas, pulleys 37'and' 38 'are fastened to their respective shaft 35 and 36 as m: the case of pulley 38 by set screw 43. Also fast to the adjacent ends of shafts 35 and 36 are bevel gears 44 and 45 secured to their respective shafts by set screws 46 and 47. Meshing with both gears 44 and 45 is a planetary gear 48 which is mounted for rotation on a stud 49 which is secured as by screw 50 to an arm 51 which is supported as by screw 52 from the face of gear 40. Meshing with this gear 40 is a pinion 53 which is fastened on the end of a short shaft 54, which carries on its other end hand wheel 55. The result of this construction is the provision of an adjusting means whereby the rotation in one direction or the other of hand wheel 55 results in a forward or back' shift of the moving picture record with relation to the phonographic record; Normally, pulley 37 rotates in synchronism with the corresponding pulley on the phonograph, and transmits its rotation through shaft 35, bevel gear 44, pinion 48, bevel gear 45, shaft 36, belt wheel 38 and belt 39, -.t0 belt-wheel 27, worm shaft 12 thereby re ceiving the speed appropriate for the operation of the moving picture apparatus and -the phonograph in synchronism, as previously explained. If, however, itis desired to retard or advance the moving picture film somewhat in relation to the phonographic record, for the purpose of bringing the two records into exact step, hand wheel 55 is 1'0- tated in one direction or the other, result ing in a movement of planetary gear 48 in one direction or theother around shafts 35 and 36 as a center, whereby the speed transmitted from shaft 35 to shaft- .36 through the interme'shing of gears 44 and 45 with pinion 48, is either increased ,or diminished in accordance with whether planetary gear 48 is rotated with of rotation imparted to bevel gear 45 by pinion 48 in its function of connecting. means between bevels 44 and 45. The re sult of this adjustment is either to give ear 40 in a direction with or against the direction I worm shaft 12 a greater or a less'speed during the time that hand wheel 55 is being manipulated, than the speed of exact synchronism with the phonograph. When this speed is thus increased, the result is that the operation of the crank 3 of the moving picture machine is permitted to move the moving picture films at a somewhat greater' speed than that proper for the exhibition of the pictures in connection with the phonographic record, --thereby catching up the pictures with the appro priate sound, whereas, if hand wheel 55 is adjusted in the other direction, and the speed of worm shaft 12, correspondingly diminished, brake 10 will be applied brake wheel 9-when the moving picture apparatus is run at a speed somewhat lessthan that of exact synchronism with the phonograph, thus allowing the phoxmtgxraphic e pic,-

recordto catch. ture record. g

It. is not necessary to mount worm wheel 14 as shown in Fig. .rwithworms 13 and 18, intermesh' therewith on opposite sides. A modification of this arrangement is'shown up properly. with in Fig. 4, in which worm shafts 12 and 117' are shown meshing with'worm wheels 14- and: 14", which are rigidly connected "to shaft 15' and rotate together. This can struction may be used when it isdesired that both worms 12 and 17- rotate inithe same direction. at different rates of speed;

it sometimes be' necessary to interpoee gear ng between t e phonograph and "th moving picture machine. In Fig.4, as is, of course, obvious, one of the shafts could equally as well have been located at the pensed with. In this embodimentof the invention, a second phonograph 56 is emloyed, connected in the present instance y means of belt 57 with the pulley 37 of the compensating or adjusting. device 34,

which in turn, is connected by belt 39'with pulley 27 as in the other embodiments of the invention. Worm shaft 12 is-therefore,-in this case, given a speed equal to or proportionate to that of phonograph 56, instead of being given a speed equal to or proportionate to that of the phonograph back of the screen as in the other modifications. Phone-graph 56 is accordingly regulated so that its motor will run in synchronism with the phonograph back of or at the screen, which Is intended to operate in connection with the moving picture apparatus. Phonograph 56 is stripped of its carriage and may,

of course, consist only of the motor and l picture apparatus. and independent motive governing parts. or of an equivalent motor and governor.

Fig. 9 is another modification showing means for operating belt wheel 37 in s vn chronism with the talking machine by electrical means in place of the belt connecting means 30 of Figs. 5 and l or in place of the alternate scheme shown in l ig. T. 111 this embodiment of the invention. the phonograph mandrel carries rings 57 and .38 electrically connected to the sections of the split rings 59 and (it) as shown. Brushes 61 and (i2 bear on rings 57 and 5S and are connected with the opposite poles of a battery or other source of current 63. Brushes (t-t. c5 and (it'- bear on split rings 5'.) and (30, being adjusted 120 degrees apart as shown.

Brushes G4. 65 and (3G are connected as by wires 67, G8 and 6 with elcctromagnet coils T0, 71 and *2. which magnet coils are mounted upon a field magnet core-frame 75 having rotating armature 73. which is mounted on one end of and connected to worm shaft 12. Coils 70. T1 and T2 are connected together through the magnet core-frame T5 at each of the terminals of the coils other than those to which wires (37. ($8 and (it) are. connected. The result of this construction shown thus diagrammatically. is to provide motormeans for revolving worm shaft 12 in synchronism with the phonograph mandrel since split rings 59 and (30 are connected to opposite poles of the source of current and ln'ushcs 64, 65 and (3(3 bear alternately on one or the other of these split rings. transmitting cur rents of such polarity to the magnet coils T0. T1 and 72 and consequently setting up such varying magnetisms in the same as to cause armature T3 to rotate in a manner which is well known. Six magnet coils might be used with equal or better results than the three coils 70. 71 and T2 shown connected to six brushes mounted (10 degrees apart. three coils and brushes being shown only for the. sake of greater simplicity'in the drawings.

It is obvious that it is not essential to this invention that the moving picture apparatus be hand operated. It could be operated in that case. however. it would be necessary to provide a frictional coupling or similardevice between the motor and the shaft as will be readily understood. lt is also obvious that various other changes might be I ade in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. and that my improved mechanism may be connected to any suitable rotating part of the moving picture apparatus.

llaving dc-cribed my invention. what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt is:

l. In a devi e of the class described. the combination with a phonograph. a moving means for each. of mechanical braking means and means for causing said braking means to resist operation of said moving picture apparatus at a speed in excess of that sym'hronizing with the phonograph, and for causing the resistance of said braking means to increase with the excess speed of said moving picture apparatus, substantially as described.

2. .[n a device for synchronizing a phonographic apparatus and a moving picture apparatus, the combination of means adapt-- ed to run in synchronism with the phonographic apparatus, means adapted to run in synchronism with the moving picture apparatus, a friction brake. and means for operating said brake to resist movement of said second named means with a force varyin g with the difference in speed between said first and second named means, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described. the combination with a phonograph'and a moving picture apparatus, a rotatable shaft for each. means for driving the phonograph shaft at constant speed and independent means for driving the shaft of the moving picture apparatus. of mechanical means deriving power from said last named means for auton'iatically bringing the shaft of the moving picture apparatus into svnchronism with thephonograph shaft. and means for adjusting the relative angular positions of the shafts of the phonograph and the moving picture apparatus, substantially as described.

4. In. a device of the class described, the combination with a phonograph and a moving picture apparatus, each having rotatable shafts. and independent means for driving the same, of mechanical means deriving power from the driving means for the moving picture apparatus for bringing the shaft of the moving picture apparatus into synchronism with the phonograph shaft. and manual means operable at will during the operation of the two machines for shifting the relative angular positions of the respecequally well l an electric or other motor.

tive shafts of the same, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a phonograph and a moving picture apparatus. of means for driving the phonograph at an approximately constant speed, independent means for driving the moving picture apparatus. mechanical braking means for retarding the action of said last named driving means, means normally running in. synchronism with the phonograph, and means coacting with said last named means to increase or decrease the braking action of the retarding means with the increase or decrease respectively of the speed of the moving picture apparatus with respect to that of the phonograph, substantially as described.

6. In a device for synchronizing a phonogra h and a moving picture a iparatus, the com ination of means adapte to be 0 erated from the phonograph to run in sync ironism therewiti, means adapted to be operated from the moving picture apparatus to run in synchronism therewith, mechanical braking means and means controlled by said first and second named means for causing the braking means to automatically resist movement of said second named means at a speed in excess of that. synchronizing with said first named means, and for causing the resistance of said braking means to increase with the exctm speed of said second named means. substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonograph and a moving picture apparatus, of an axially immovable worm rotating in synchronism with the phonograph, a worm wheel meshing there with, a worm mounted for a limited axial shift. and rotating in synchronism with the moving picture apparatus, said worm being in meshing connection with said worm wheel, a brake for the moving picture apparatus. and means for applying said brake connected for operation by the shifting of said shiftable worm, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonograph and a moving picture apparatus of two worm shafts o )erated in synchronism, one with said phonograph and the other with said moving picture apparatus, intermediate gearing between said worm shafts engaging the same, to shift the same longitudinally relativelyto each other when not running in synchronism with each other, and means operated by such shifting to bring the phonograph and the moving picture apparatus into synchronism, substantially as described.

t). In a device of the class described. the combination with a phono mph and a moving picture apparatus, their shafts and separate driving means for each, of means operated from the phonograihto run in synchronism therewith, mechanical means coacting with said' last named means to bring the moving picture apparatus into synchronism therewith, and means to adjust the angular position of said phonograph operated means with relation tothe phonograph shaft backward or forward. at will, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonograph'ic aiparatus, a moving picture apparatus, an independent motive means for each. of cal means 'controlledby the motive means of both of said apparatus for automatically retarding thespeed of said moving picture up- .tainin mechani-' paratus when such speed becomes greater than that for synchronism between the two apparatus, and manually operable means for momentarily and at will permitting said moving picture apparatus to exceed said last named speed or to prevent the same from atsaid speed, substantially as describe 11. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic a paratus, a moving picture apparatus, an independent motive means for each, of mechanical braking means and means controlled by the motive means of both of said apparatus for causing the braking means to automatically resist operation of said moving picture apparatus at 'a speed in excess of that sync roniziiig with said phonographic apparatus, and for causing the resistance 'of said braking means to increase with the excess speed of said moving icture apparatus, substantially as describe 12. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic a paratus, a movin picture a paratus, an independent motive means or each, of-a worm rotated in synchronism with said phonogra hic apparatus, a gear meshing therewit and rakin means coacting with said gear for automatically maintaining said a paratus in synchronism with each other, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic a paratus, a moving picture apparatus, an independent motive means for each, of mechanical braking means for resisting operation of said moving picture apparatus, movable means controlled by both of said apparatus and caused to move by a departure thereof from synchronism, and a mechanical connection betweenisaid braking means and said movable means for operating said braking means, substantially as described.

14. In a device of the class described, the. combination with a plionographic a aratus, a moving picture apparatus, anti independent motive means for each, of means controlled by the motive means for both of said apparatus for automatically maintaining said apparatus in synchronism, said means comprising two worms operated in synchronism, one with said phonographic apparatus and the other with said moving icture apparatus and intermediate gearing lietween and enga ing said worms, substantially as described? 15. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic apparatus, motive means therefor, a moving picture apparatus, and manual means for operating the latter, of interconnecting mechanism between said phonographic and moving picture apparatus for preventing said moving picture apparatus from exceeding a speed synchronizing "with that of said phonographic apparatus, and. manually operable means for momentarily and at will permitting said moving picture apparatus to eX- ceed said speed, substantially as described.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a' phonographic apparatus, a moving picture apparatus, and independent motive means for each, of interconnecting mechanism between said phonographic and moving picture apparatus for preventing said moving picture apparatus from exceeding a speed synchronizing with that of said phonographic apparatus, and manually operable means for momentarily and at will permitting said moving picture apparatus to, exceed said speed a desired amount, substantially as described.

17. In a device for synchronizingaphonographic apparatus and a moving picture apparatus, the combination of means adapted to run in synchronism with the phonographic apparatus, means adapted to run in synchronism with the moving picture apparatus, mechanical braking means, and means for operating said braking means to resist movement of said second named means with a force varying with the difference in speed between said first and second named means, substantially as described.

18. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination with a phonographic apparatus', a moving picture apparatus, and independent mot-lve means for each, of means controlled by both of said motive means for automatically maintaining said apparatus in synchronism with each other, said means comprising a worm rotated in synchronism with one of said apparatus and having a differential connection with the other apparatus-substantially as described.

19. In a device for synchronizing aphonographic apparatus and a moving pictureiapparatus, the combination with a brake, of means for applying said brake comprising a worm adapted to be rotated in synchronism with said phonographic apparatus, a

, worm adapted to berotated in synchronism with said moving picture apparatus, and intermediate gearing engaging said worms, substantially as described.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic apparatus, a moving picture apparatus and independent motive means for each, of a shaft operated to run with substantially constant speed in synchronism with said phonographic apparatus, a shaft operated to run with substantially constant speed in synchronism with said moving picture apparatus, said two shafts being connected by a device comprising a movable member which is caused to move by a departure from synchronism of said two shafts, mechanical braking means for retarding the speed of one of said apparatus, and a mechanical connection for communicating the movementof said movable member to the braking means to automatically bring said two apparatus into synchronism with each other, substantially as described.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic apparatus, a moving picture apparatus, and independent motive I'neans for each, of mechanical braking means for resisting operation of said moving picture apparatus, and means controlled by both of said apparatus for automatically operating said braking means to maintain, said apparatus in synchronism with each other, said controlled means being entirely mechanical and having pr0-" vision for preventing the operation of the braklng means from causing a substantial var1ation of the load upon the phonographic motive means, substantially as described.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination with a phonographic apparatus, a moving picture apparatus, and independent motive means for each, of mechanical braking means for resisting operation of said moving picture apparatus, said braking means deriving its power from the moving picture apparatus motive means, movable means controlled by both of said apparatus and caused to move by a departure thereof from synchronism, and a mechanical connection between said braking means and said movable means for operating said braking means, substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 9 day of Nov. 1908.

' DANIEL HIGH'AM.

Witnesses:

DYER SMITH, ANNA R. KLEH 

